The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-03-19

as nearly every body wore homcsp''h on
the same color and pattern MS ""
not excite my surprise.
IF he has the scar ! mutt'r''' nc
could pass any where for Francisco
1t would be impossible to tell 'he"
apart
Naturally ! began to understand inc
alibi. The men who swore thaI 'n's
saw the h%ighwayman twenty h'lics
away from the scene of his crime AZ INC
very moment he vas tying my hah's
might honestly be mistaken Inc!
had seer this mysterious stranger. but
they had sworn to the scar. Could II
be possible that the strangers race
bore such a mark?
determined to edge III! way to him
in the crowd and accidentally knock
off his sombrcro in order to look Tor
the fiery crescent.
When / reached that side Of the
building the man vas gone. made
every effort to find him, but finally
gave it up. He had either left the
room or had shifted his position, keep
ing other persons between us so rs TO-
screen him from my view.
As it was growing dark four ta!'ow
candles were lighted, but the gloomy
stone walls made the o almost rs
dark rs ever.
was wondering what would be the
outcome of the case. when the lights
were suddenly blown out.
keep in your place. shouted an
~alguazil. "Urder in the palace Ut
justice!'
The candles We're relighted, and then
was beheld such a scene as has rarely
ever been beheld in a courtroom or
anywhere else.
In front of the alcade's bench stood
two scar-faced mel as much alike as
two brown peas.
"Merciful saints calculated an
alguazil. ''Do ! see double. or are
there two Franciscos?'
at is the work of the devil,' sug-
gested Il pious old man, as he crossed
himself.
My friend, the old alcaldc, put on his
spectaclcs and looked sharply at the
two men,
'Francisco!' he called.
Each of the two men gave a jerk of
his head and answered to the name.
LET the American senior take the
ordered the alcalde.
In response to the questions put to
me | admitted that | could not point
out the real Francisco.
Three witnesses called to establish
the alibi were recalled. They shared
my bewilderment, and could throw no
light upon the case.
The alcalde scratched his head. Then
he touched one of the doubles with his
"You. now,' he said, "what is your
namep'
'Francisco,' was the reply.
''Your residence and occupation"
II have none. l am travelling
about9"
The alcaldc turned to the other man.
WHAT is your name:o'
'Frant:Sco.'
"Your residence and occu pation"
81 have mont. ! am travelling
The same answers, denve:eL in the
very voice and manner of the first
double.
Seeing the alcalde's embarrassment,
[ went to him and suggested that lie
imprison. both men until the matter
could be looked into.
II can not do it," he said. zone is
innocent. If l imprison him l shall
.ose my place. Besides, the twelve
hours will soon expire, and without
satisfactory evidence l must turn both
limited that it was all a put-up Job;
hat Francisco probably had Il twin
brother, who had arran gcd to have the
lights blown out. and had then in the
darkness, made his way to the prison.
RS side, thus confusing matters with
he intention of eyading justice.
at matters not" said the alcalde.
Two men Il not be arrested, tried
md imprisoned on q warrant against
me, nor ran warrant be issued
against two when it is known that
oniy n is guilty. No, senior, it is
hardship, doubtless, but it is better
% disappoint justice than to do %injus-
Then, raising his head, he said:
The prisoners are discharged
Silently the crowd divided, leaving a
pathway.
Down the aisle walked the Francis
COS. Each wore the same ~scornful
.m;la. Each povn thn s,mn uicloJ